2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S: First Look

2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S
More than 40 years have passed since Porsche introduced the first 911 Turbo, and for many of us growing up in the 1970s and 1980s, the 911 Turbo Carrera was the sports car we all dreamed about. The range-topping 911 has continued to evolve during the intervening decades, and the all-new 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S arrives boasting more power and performance than ever before.

Optimized Aero
Available as a coupe or as a cabriolet, the new 911 Turbo S is wider than the previous generation by about 1.8 inches up front. Optimized aerodynamics improve performance and efficiency, featuring adaptive cooling air flaps at the front as well as wider air intakes. A redesigned extendable front spoiler as well as a larger rear wing provide 15 percent more downforce than the previous 911 Turbo.

Standout Styling
The Turbo stands out from more common 911s with dual front light modules as well as standard LED Matrix headlights with dark surrounds. Bold rear fenders feature integrated air intakes to give the Turbo a muscular look. At the rear sit rectangular quad tailpipes, as well as LED lighting that stretches across the rear fascia, introduced initially on the 911 Carrera.

Staggered Wheels
For the first time the 911 Turbo S utilizes staggered wheels — the front end sports 20-inch wheels with 255/35 tires, while at the rear are 21-inch wheels shod with 315/30 tires. Wheels features a center-lock design with Pirelli P Zero tires.

More Power
The 911 Turbo S gets a new 3.8-liter boxer engine with two variable turbine geometry turbochargers that help the unit produce 640 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. This represents a bump of 60 horses versus the previous generation. The engine gets teamed with a turbo-specific 8-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox.

Impressive Performance
Performance numbers tell the tale: the sprint to 60 mph takes a mere 2.6 seconds (the cabriolet is .1-second slower) and 124 mph comes up in 8.9 seconds — a full second faster than its predecessor. The new 911 Turbo S can pass a quarter mile in 10.5 seconds, and with enough road or track speed tops out at 205 mph.

Improved Handling
Of course, a Porsche is about more than simply straight-line acceleration, and the new 911 Turbo S provides excellent handling. With the enhanced Porsche Traction Management all-wheel-drive system, more torque — up to 368 lb-ft — can be sent to the front wheels to aid acceleration and cornering. Porsche Active Suspension Management has been retuned so dampers are controlled quicker and more precisely, which improves road holding, steering behavior and cornering speeds. The Turbo S also comes with Wet Mode, which automatically adjusts the stability control and anti-lock brake systems as well as warns the driver when it detects water on the road.

Premium Interior
Inside, the new 911 Turbo S has premium appointments such as full leather and carbon fiber trim throughout. Standard sport seats have 18-way adjustment and stitching patterns that harken back to the original 911 Turbo. Front and center is a 10.9-inch touchscreen display, while hard buttons below provide quick access to vehicle controls as well as climate control. The 911 Turbo S also comes with the GT Sport steering wheel as well as the Sport Chrono Package that integrates the Porsche Track Precision app. A Bose surround sound audio system is also standard.

Coming Soon
The 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S has a base price of $203,500 for the coupe and $216,300 for the cabriolet. Ordering is expected to begin soon, with deliveries anticipated by the end of 2020.